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The antacids They are substances that act against heartburn. Heartburn is experienced as a pain or burning sensation in the stomach or along the esophagus.
The stomach naturally secretes a series of acidic substances that allow the digestion of food. The stomach walls are prepared to resist these substances; but the esophagus is not. When gastric acids rise up into the esophagus, a burning sensation is experienced. This phenomenon is called "gastroesophageal reflux."
The causes of heartburn can be related to various factors:
- Consumption of carbonated beverages (sodas)
- Consumption of highly spiced drinks
- Lie down immediately after eating
- Previous pathologies of the digestive system such as hiatal hernia or partial incompetence of the gastroesophageal sphincter
- Excessive food consumption
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages
The antacid It works by counteracting heartburn, since it is an alkaline substance (base).
Some antacids are cytoprotective or protective of the gastric mucosa, both from the action of digestive enzymes and from the acid itself. This means that they do not aim to increase the pH (decrease the acidity) but simply to protect the walls of the digestive system from its adverse effects.
Other antacids are proton pump inhibitors: they significantly reduce the production of acid in the stomach. They are weak bases (alkaline substances). They block the enzyme ATPase, also known as the proton pump, which is directly responsible for acid secretion.
It can serve you: Examples of pH of substances
Examples of antacids
- Sodium bicarbonate: crystalline compound soluble in water.
- Magnesium hydroxide: fluid preparation of magnesium, also called “milk of magnesium”. It is also used as a laxative.
- Calcium carbonate: it is a very abundant chemical compound in nature, both in inorganic matter, such as rocks, and in living beings (such as mollusks and corals). In medicine, in addition to being an antacid, it is used as a calcium supplement and adsorbent agent.
- Aluminum hydroxide: it binds with excess acid in the stomach, so it is also used for the treatment of ulcers. It can cause constipation.
- Sucralfate (cytoprotective): it is used to counteract the symptoms of gastric hyperacidity, but also for gastric or duodenal ulcers. It is most effective when taken before meals.
- Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor): inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid by up to 80%.
- Lansoprazole (proton pump inhibitor): used to treat and prevent all kinds of conditions associated with gastric acid and reflux: injuries, ulcers, etc.
- Esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor): if administered daily for five days, the average acid production decreases by 90%.
- Pantoprazole (proton pump inhibitor): used for eight week treatments.
- Rabeprazole (proton pump inhibitor): used in short-term treatments.
It can serve you: Examples of Gastrointestinal Diseases
